Tampon



Dec. 23, 1941. c. Hm. 2,267,030'

TAMPON Filed July 13, 1940 /A/l/f/Wo/Q.- CHA/125s /QA/CaJf /7/4 L fm@ M@ATToP/vfx,

Patented Dec. 23, 1941 TAMPON Charles Bapelje Hill, Toronto, Ontario,Canada Application July 13, 1940, Serial No. 345,270

In Canada December 1, 1939 s claims.

This invention relates to tampons, particularly of the catamenial typeadapted for use within the vagina, and this application is acontinuation in part of copending application, Serial No. 242,- 496, ledNovember 26, 1938.

The object of the invention is to provide a tampon which may beconveniently and readily inserted in the vagina without danger offrictional irritation of the vaginal walls and which is on insertionsubstantially immediately eiiective for its intended purpose. Anotherobject is to provide a tampon including an absorbent pad which, afteruse, may be readily and wholly withdrawn from the vagina without dangerof any portion thereof clinging to the walls of the vaginal cavity.

With these objects in view, the invention comprises the provision, witha pad of high liquid absorptive capacity constituting the core, of anon-toxic soluble tubular member of a gelatinous or like type partiallyenclosing the pad to expose a portion of the latter, the member beingprovided with a rounded end portion. The in- K vention also includes, ina tampon of the structure referred to, a bag-like covering completelyenclosing the absorbent pad, the coveringl consisting of a thin fabric,such as cotton cloth, which is permeable with respect to liquids butimpermeable with respect to the fibres constituting the absorbent pad.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which,

Figure l is an elevation of an absorbent pad structure in accordancewith the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation of one form. of tam- P0113 Figure 3 is anelevation of; another form of tampon;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the tampon shown in Figure 3 illustratingits condition a short time after its insertion in the vagina, and

Figure 5 isa perspective view of an absorbent pad structure in expandedcondition.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, I is an absorbent padfolded or otherwise shaped into a substantially cylindrical form forendwise insertion into a tubular member or capsule section 2 having aclosed rounded end 3. As shown, the capsule section may but partiallyenclose the pad with one end of the latter extending outwardly from theopen end of the section.

The pad I may be formed of any suitable material such as cotton orcellulose iibres, and is of a highly absorbent nature. It may be con-(Cl. 12S-285) structed as a flat pad of long iibred material sewn downthe center, as indicated at 9, for stability and prevention oi iibredisintegration. The sewing material may terminate in a pull cord 8whereby an eiective connection between the pull cord and pad isprovided. A pad of suitable dimensions, say, two inches in length andapproximately 966 inch in diameter when compressed and rolled intocylindrical form, should have a liquid absorbency capacity ofapproximately three quarters of a iiuid ounce. In fully expandedcondition, as shown in Figure 5, it will be approximately double itscompressed dimensions.

The capsule section is of gelatinous or like material and is adapted todissolve when placed in the vagina or at approximately body temperature.The wall of the' section is of a thickness which will impart necessaryrigidity to the tampon for ease of insertion but should not be thickerthan is necessary to impart such rigidity so that it will quicklydissolve within the vagina. A suitable wall thickness has been found tobe .007 to .011 inch.

While the pad, provided with the pull cord 8 suitably stitched thereto,may be employed without Cadditional structure in conjunction with itscapsule section 2, the invention contemplates a further importantelement in association therewith. This element consists of a liquidpermeable sheath or covering for the pad adapted to preventdisintegration of the latter or, in other words, theiioating away orpicking 0H of the relatively loosely joined fibres making up the l pad.

The covering consists of a thin fabric, such as cotton cloth, woven orknitted from preformed threads or yarns, and is impermeable with respectto the fibres of the absorbent pad while being readily permeable withrespect to liquids.y

The covering is preferably preformed into a bag-like shape, as shown inFigure 1, stitching 5 completing such form. The pad or core is theninserted into the bag, which is quite loose in relation to the pad toprovide room for expansion of the latter under liquid absorption. Afterinsertion of the pad, the open end of the bag is closed by stitching 6which may terminate in a pull cord 1. It will be noted that the pullcord 1 is attached to the bag itself and not to the core. The yarnsforming the stitching 6 and pull cord 'I may be a continuation of theyarns forming the stitching 5. l

In use, the rounded capsule section end of the tampon is inserted intothe vagina andthe tampon placed in proper position therein.4 'I'he rigidwall ot the capsule section provides support for the relatively soit padstructure and this, combined with the smooth surface oI.' the section,ensures ease and convenience oi insertion. Thus there is no irritationof the delicate tissues of the vagina and danger oi injury thereto isavoided. The exposed portion of the pad immediately absorbs and blocksany liquid now which may take place in the vagina prior to completedissolving of the capsule section, when the tampon is completelyeiiective for absorptive purposes. After use, the tampon is readilywithdrawn from the vagina by means of the pull cord 1. Since the latteris secured to the bag, the latter and its entire contents are completelyremoved. Thus. there is no danger of loose ilbres becoming separatedfrom the absorbent pad and remaining within the vagina with/consequentdiscomfort and possibility of infection. This also provides additionalconvenience and comfort in disposal of the used device. i

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, the absorbent pad I`provided with the pull cord 8 .is inserted into a tubular capsulesection I0 having a closed rounded end II through which the pull cord lextends.

The pad may be provided with a bag-like covering and pull cord, such asshown at l and 'I and previously described.

As shown in Figure 3, the capsule section I0 but partially encloses thepad, a portion I2 oi.' the latter extending outwardly from the open endof the section III. A loosely fit-ting or iloating rounded capsule capsection I3 is provided to cover the extending portion I2 oi the pad. Thecap overlaps the top of the tubular section only a slight distance and,as previously stated, has a loose t therewith, the inner diameter oi thecap being greater than the outer diameter of the tubular section. Thus,the cap has merely a iloating connection with the other elements of thestructure and a narrow substantially annular duct Il is provided betweenthe inner wall of the cap and the outer wall of the tubular section toexpose a portion of the pad and provide for entrance of liquids.

The capsule sections I0 and I3 are of similar material and thickness tocapsule section 2. The dimensions thereof may be as desired. A suitablesize for the tubular section I0 is 11's inches in length and inch outerdiameter, and for the cap inch in length and 1%6 inch in diameter. Thepad-protrudes from the top oi the tubular section about inch and the capoverlaps the tubular section about $4; inch.

In use. the :cap Il provides a non-irritating inserting head for thetampon whereas the tubular section gives necessary rigidity andsmoothness of surface for ease and convenience oi' insertion.Immediately upon-insertion into the vagina. liquid flows through duct Ilinto contact with the portion I2 oi the pad which absorbs the same andexpands into the condition shown in Figure 4, thus pushing the cap freeof the tubular section and fully exposing the portion I2 of the pad forready absorption of liquid. The exposed expanded' portion I2 e'ectuallyblocks and absorbs any liquid y ilow inthe vagina which may take placeprior to complete dissolving of the capsule.

` The tampon is readily withdrawn after use as previously described.

I claim:`

1. A catamenial tampon'comprising a dissolvable tubular member having anopen end and a closed end with a central opening therein, a cylindricalabsorbent pad in said tubular member having a high liquid absorptioncapacity andhaving a pull cord extending through said opening and aportion extending outwardly from said open end, and a dissolvablerounded cap member covering said extending portion and slightlyoverlapping said tubular member, the inner wall of the overlappingportion of the cap member being spaced from the outer wall of thetubular member to provide an annular duct.

2. A catamenial tampon comprising a dissolvable elongated tubularmember, an absorbent pad in said tubular member having a high liquidab-v sorptive capacityand having a portion extending outwardly from oneend ofY the tubular member, and a dissolvable rounded short cap membercovering said extending portion and slightly overlapping said tubularmember, the inner wall of the overlapping portion of the cap memberbeing spaced from the outer wail of the tubular member to provide anannular duct.

3. A catamenial tampon comprising a pad having a high liquid absorptivecapacity and a dissolvable gelatinous capsule enclosing said pad,

said capsule having a substantially rigid tubular wall section and arounded cap section slightly overlapping the tubular section, the innerWall of the overlapping portion 'of the cap section being spaced fromthe outer wall of the tubular section to provide an annular duct.

CHARLESRAPEIJE HILL.

